The Literary Heritage of Jesuits of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Abstract

Since 1565, the Society of Jesus promoted education in the humanities. The vast majority of the Polish nobility received their education in Jesuit colleges. Jesuit preachers, writers, poets, authors of heraldic and emblem works—derived mostly from the nobility—were understandably deeply involved in politics. The legacy of the most outstanding Jesuit authors testifies to their active participation in public life. In keeping with the specifics of the Polish case, their literary production emphasizes not only the vita activa, but also animus civilis. Political and historical themes, as well as religious motifs, played a significant role in Jesuit works. The Society’s activities in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth produced important works in various genres of literature, a significant portion of which was in Latin. Their poetry and prose is characterized by involvement in socio-political issues: the stormy political events and wars of the seventeenth century had a considerable effect on the compositions of the leading Jesuit authors.